Translation guide
Describes how something becomes bent, twisted, or distorted, either physically or metaphorically. Covers common verbs for physical warping of objects, as well as figurative uses for minds, personalities, and judgments.
To describe wood, metal, plastic, etc. becoming bent or twisted out of shape, often due to heat, moisture, or pressure.
Most common verb for warping, bending, or curving. Used for flat objects like boards, panels, or cards that curl or warp. Intransitive.
湿気で床板が反ってしまった。
The floorboards warped from the humidity.
本の表紙が反っている。
The book cover is warped.
Warp, become distorted or twisted out of shape. Often implies an unnatural or ugly distortion. Can be physical or metaphorical. Intransitive.
熱でプラスチックが歪んだ。
The plastic warped from the heat.
地震で窓枠が歪んでしまった。
The window frame got warped in the earthquake.
Bend, curve, or become bent. More general than 'warp'; can mean simply bending without permanent distortion. Intransitive.
この定規は熱で曲がりやすい。
This ruler warps easily with heat.
Become warped or bent out of shape, often used for wood or boards. Less common than 反る or 歪む.
雨で板がいがんでしまった。
The board warped from the rain.
To describe a person's mind, personality, or sense of values becoming twisted, distorted, or perverted.
Also used metaphorically for a mind or personality becoming warped, twisted, or distorted. Often negative.
彼は心が歪んでいる。
His mind is warped.
愛情不足で性格が歪んでしまった。
His personality became warped due to lack of affection.
Become twisted or warped, often used for minds, personalities, or ways of thinking. Stronger than 歪む, implies a deliberate or severe distortion.
彼の考え方はねじ曲がっている。
His way of thinking is warped.
Become bent or warped; can be used figuratively for a twisted personality. Colloquial and emphatic.
あいつの根性はひん曲がっている。
That guy has a warped character.
To describe space-time or abstract things becoming distorted or bent.
Used in physics or sci-fi for space-time warping. Also for abstract things like perception or truth.
重力によって時空が歪む。
Spacetime warps due to gravity.
彼の記憶は歪んでいる。
His memory is warped.
Can be used for light or space bending, but less technical than 歪む.
反る (そる) is for flat things curling or warping (like wood, paper). 歪む (ゆがむ) is for distortion from a normal shape, often implying ugliness or abnormality, and works for both physical and metaphorical contexts. 曲がる (まがる) simply means to bend or curve, and may not imply permanent warping.
All verbs here are intransitive (become warped). To say 'warp something', use the transitive forms: 反らす (そらす), 歪める (ゆがめる), 曲げる (まげる).
Light bends (warps) due to gravity.